THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE   COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH   CAROLINIANA 


C3?8 

UK3 
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UNIVERSITY  OF  NX.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


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TO  THE 

SENIOR  CLASS 

ASH  BEFORE  THE 

AUDIENCE  ASSEMBLED 

AT  THE 

On  the  QSth  of  June,  1827. 


BY  JOS.  CALDWELL,  Pres.  &  Prof.  Mor.  Ph, 


RALEIGH : 

PRINTED    BY   J.    GALES    &   SON? 
1827. 


i 


r 


ADDRESS. 


2  might  employ  the  few  minutes  usually  allowed  us  at  this 
closing  period  of  our  business  on  this  day,  and  of  our  connec- 
tion as  instructors  and  scholars,  in  presenting  general  remarks 
and  counsels,  with  reference  to  the  more  practical  nature  of 
the  life  on  which  you  are  about  to  enter.  Nothing  is  more 
certain  however,  than  that  the  wisdom  deduced  from  past 
experience,  where  experience  has  to  any  amount  been  already 
gained,  is  more  valuable  on  account  of  its  evidence  and  its  in- 
fluence, than  any  other  which  w«  can  hope  to  communicate  or 
receive.  Let  me  invite  you  then  for  a  little,  to  take  a  retro- 
spect of  the  past,  to  see  the  course  we  have  pursued,  the  ad- 
vantages attained,  the  losses  incurred,  and  the  methods  of  re- 
trieving them.  While  we  are  thus  occupied,  not  only  our- 
selves but  others,  whose  cheering  and  benevolent  presence  we 
would  not  forget,  will  have  some  opportunity  of  appreciating 
the  value  of  such  an  education  as  it  is  the  purpose  of  this  and 
other  similar  institutions  to  impart. 

As  the  great  objects  of  education  here  are  to  treasure  up 
knowledge  in  the  mind,  to  expand  and  invigorate  the  faculties, 
to  discipline  it  to  a  pertinent,  skilful,  and  efficient  use  of  them, 
and  above  all  to  attach  it  if  possible,  inseparably  to  virtue, 
the  occupations  of  the  young  are  modelled  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  these  purposes.  Our  time  is  distributed  into  hours  of 
business,  and  hours  of  exercise  and  amusement.  In  a  society 
whose  members  arc  collected  as  in  this  place,  into  one  com- 
pact body,  it  were  vain  to  hope  for  success  in  the  prosecution 
of  its  objects,  if  all  did  not  move  in  concert.  The  pastimes  of 
some  must  not  clash  with  the  business  of  others.  It  were  as 
hopeful  to  compose  a  machinp,  and  maintain  its  motions,  with 
unfitted  wheels.  As  a  community,  we  commence  the  business 
of  the  day  with  the  rising  of  the  sun.  This  is  rendered  easy 
by  a  provision  for  retiring  early  to  rest,  at  once  promoting 
I  health,  virtue,  and  the  proper  strength  both  of  the  mind  and 
ibody,  by  the  habitual  observance  of  seasonable  hours.  The 
first  act  to  which  we  are  called,  is  a  recognition  of  God  and 
iiis  providence,  "in  whom  we  live  and  move,  and  have  our 
being."  It  is  the  last  also  with  which  we  conclude  the  busi- 
ness of  the  day.  Worship  is  the  dictate  of  the  understanding 
and  the  heart.  Happily,  while  we  are  cultivating  the  rational 
faculties  to  their  utmost  extent,  they  concur  with  the  religion 
of  our  country,  and  of  revelation,   tlnw  producing  a  coalition 


of  the  greatest  moral  perfection,  with  our  obligations  as  citi- 
zens, and  with  the  only  assurances  which  heaven  has  given  to 
men  of  a  happy  immortality. 

The  first  of  obligations  thus  fulfilled,  the  daily  and  primary 
object  of  enlarging  the  mind  is  recommended  by  an  immediate 
engagement  in  its  exercises.  This,  as  the  great  end  of  a  col- 
legiate life,  is  prosecuted  through  the  day,  but  is  seasonably 
intermitted  by  three  distinct  intervals  for  relaxation,  food,  and 
the  varied  pleasures  of  healthful  and  renovating  exercise. 

The  plan  of  business,  or  the  whole  system  of  mental  cul- 
ture, and  the  mode  of  initiation  in  literature  and  the  sciences 
here  practised,  arc  determined  it  is  believed,  to  be  the  most 
eligible  that  can  be  framed,   by  the  aid  of  all  the  accessible 
light  and  experience  of  past  and  present  times,  adapted  to  the 
instrumentality  and  present  circumstances  of  this  institution, 
to  the  state  of  our  country,  and  to  its  other  literary  institu- 
tions.    The  ancient  languages    and  classics   of  Greece   and 
Home,   which  the  world  has  to  the  present  day,  continued  to 
sanction  as  constituting  the  best  basis  of  refined  taste  and  cor- 
rect knowledge  in  our  own  language,  and  in  all  the  modern 
languages  of  Europe,  are  assiduously  cultivated  by  the  in- 
structors provided  for  them.     By  this,  opportunity  is  afforded 
to  the  student,  to  store  in  his  mind  the  elements  of  the  whole 
nomenclature  of  modern  science,   in  all  its  precision,  expres- 
siveness, and  beauty.     It  is  impressively  remarked  by  the  ce- 
lebrated Lavoisier,  "  While  1  proposed  to  myself  nothing  more 
than  to  improve  the  language  of  Chemistry,  my  work  trans- 
formed itself  by  degrees,  without  my  being  able  to  prevent  it, 
into  a  treatise  upon  the  Elements  of  Chemistry."    It  is  one  of 
the  maxims  on  Condillac,  as  quoted  by  the  same  writer,  that 
"Algebra,  which  is  adapted  to  its  purpose  in  every  species  of 
expression,  in  the  most  simple,  exact,  and  the  best  manner 
possible,  is  at  the  same  time  a  language,    and   an  analytical 
method.     The  art  of  reasoning  is  nothing  more  than  a  lan- 
guage well  arranged."     These  observations  respecting  the  no- 
menclature of  Chemistry  and  Algebra,  are  no  less  pertinent  to 
all  the  other  sciences  and  to  the  liberal  professions,  in  their 
present  perfection  and  magnificence.     How  their  correctness 
is  to  be  appreciated,  could  time  be  taken,  it  would  be  supernu- 
merary to  explain,  to  such  as  have  advanced  into  the  sciences, 
furnished  with  the  brilliant  torch  of  the  ancient  languages  to 
illuminate  their  path.     To  others,  I  fear  any  attempt  would  he 
vain  to  convey  a  competent  idea  of  their  efficiency  and  neces- 
sity.    It  is  an  argument  which  must  be  estimated  by  experi* 
enc«f,  that  its  force  may  be  felt  and  its  import  understood. 


In  these  models  of  language,  the  laws  of  universal  grammar, 
and  the  methods  of  construction  are  distinctly  marked,  and  pro- 
minently  exhibited-  As  by  a  skilful  architect,  the  various  pie- 
ces of  an  edifice  are  mutually  fitted  and  charactered,  that  when 
they  are  to  be  combined,  their  places  may  be  respectively 
known,  so  in  these  ancient  languages,  perfected  by  the  most 
improved  nations  of  antiquity,  we  see  the  various  parts  of 
speech  distinguished  with  a  happy  ingenuity;  and  diversified 
by  terminations  aptly  shaped,,  as  though  mortised  and  dove-1 
tailed  to  one  another.  In  the  cultivation  of  these  languages, 
the  faculties  are  all  habitually  invigorated  by  a  due  degree  of 
action.  To  the  memory  and  judgment  are  imparted  both 
quickness  and  force,  by  the  prompt  and  considerate  applica- 
tion of  the  rules  of  construction;  The  beauties  and  arts  of 
graceful,  and  forcible  composition  are  by  daily  exercise  insen- 
sibly formed  ;  the  knowledge  of  words,  and  the  command  of 
flowing  or  emphatick  enunciation  by  the  organs  thus  continu- 
ally rendered  apt  and  flexible  by  exercise,  are  habitually  im- 
proved, and  at  length  denote  a  peculiar  result  of  advantages 
not  enjoyed  by  the  generality  of  men, 

But  in  the  attainment  of  these  distinguished  languages  of 
antiquity,  it  is  the  great  and  eminent  object  of  our  instruction, 
to  use  them  as  the  key  for  unlocking  and  setting  in  lull  view- 
before  the  young  the  treasures  of  knowledge,  taste  and  genius, 
in  the  enlargement  they  had  attained  in  these  most  interesting 
nations.  If  the  student  here  acquire  not  these  riches  of  Greek 
and  Roman  literature,  it  is  assuredly  not  that  the  lecture  of 
the  instructor,  must  be  deemed  accountable  for  a  consequence 
much  to  be  regretted. 

By  a  recent  measure  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  advantages 
of  a  character  both  literary  and  practical,  have  been  secured 
to  the  education  of  the  college.  1  allude  to  the  provision  for  a 
competent  attainment  of  such  modern  languages  as  are  of  the 
highest  interest  and  value.  The  French  must  be  important, 
as  furnishing  the  most  diffusive  communication  with  the  whole 
of  Christendom.  It  is  the  language  also  of  one  of  the  most 
scientific,  polished,  and  enlightened  nations  of,  the  world.  The 
Spanish  is  of  peculiar  interest  to  us  on  account  of  the  vici- 
nage, and  even  the  intimate  relation,  in  some  instances  actu- 
ally subsisting  between  us  and*  those  who  speak  it ;  and  be- 
cause with  little  abatement,  the  whole  of  this  new  continent, 
now  independent  of  the  old,  is  divided  between  them  and  our 
own  people.  This  acquisition  to  our  literature  is  further  to 
be  prized,  as  a  greater  augmentation  to  the  learning  of  the  stu- 
dent than  could  have  been   compassed  by  any  other  mode  of 


appropriating  the  time  and  study  necessary  to  their  attain- 
ment. A  knowledge  of  the  ancient  languages  once  acquired, 
becomes  an  instrument  for  gaining  a  prompt  and  easy  access 
to  most  of  (he  modern  languages  of  Europe.  Not  to  apply  it 
to  such  a  purpose,  is  to  incur  a  forfeiture  of  privileges  most 
cheaply  secured.  It  is  to  disregard  the  laws  of  the  wisest  and 
most  efficient  economy  in  literature. 

Having  made  these  few  remarks  on  language,  as  the  proper 
foundation  of  a  scientific  superstructure,  it  is  important  to  take 
notice  of  an  erroneous  opinion,  received  even  as  a  maxim  by 
many  who  are  not  conversant  with  the  sciences,  that  they  are 
systems  merely  theoretical,  and  thus  contradistinguished  from 
all  that  will  hold  good  in  practical  life.  -This  is  a  prejudice 
fallacious  in  itself,  and  pernicious  in  its  consequences.  Of  this 
yourselves  are  well  aware,  from  the  manner  in  which  the  sci- 
ences have  heen  prosecuted,  and  advanced  to  their  present  per- 
fection, since  the  laws  of  investigation  established  by  Bacon, 
illustrated  by  the  successes  of  Newton,  and  practised  by  their 
successors  to  the  present  day.  Once  it  was  true,  that  the  know- 
ledge of  the  schools  consisted  of  little  else  than  futile  conceits 
and  inflated  speculations,  conceived  and  matured  in  the  brains 
of  its  professors.  Happily  at  present,  every  science  is  strictly 
nothing  more  nor  less,  than  a  systematic!*,  arrangement  of 
.such  practical  truths,  as  are  derived  from  experience  only, 
and  incontestable'  established  by  it.  For  this  reason  the  phi- 
losophy now  received,  the  elementary  principles  of  which  are 
taught  in  a  collegiate  education,  is  eminently  and  with  essen- 
tial propriety  styled  the  experimental  philosophy,  to  distin- 
guish it  from  the  hypothetical  and  visionary  theories  of  former 
times.  The  difference  at  present  between  theory  and  practice 
is  totally  misunderstood,  IT  it  be  supposed  to  imply  a  possible 
fallibility  in  scientifick  rules.  The  laws  of  nature  do  not  change, 
and  every  law  has  been  determined,  not  by  conjecture,  but  by 
innumerable  trials  actually  repeated,  carefully  examined,  with 
e,\ery  opportunity  for  fixing  the  truth  with  precision,  and  by 
the  most,  shrewd  and  powerful  minds,  through  many  succes- 
sive generations.  Any  one  may  mistake  in  the  application  of 
these  rules  of  action  or  calculation,  for  want  of  presence  of  mind, 
or  of  advertency  to  all  that  they  prescribe,  and  this  may  es- 
pecially happen,  when  he  first. ^commences  them  in  practice, 
lint  it  is  a  fatal  error,  and  the  occasion  of  incalculable  loss, 
to  reject  or  hold  them  in  contempt,  because  they  are  thus  un- 
faithfully or  unfortunately  exhibited  by  those  who  have  had 
some  opportunity  of  knowing  them,  but  through  defect  of  skill 
m  their  application,  have  omitted  or  violated  some  of  the  con- 


ditions  which  themselves  require  as  indispensable  to  success. 
How  many  thousands  would  have  hecn  saved  from  vain  and 
abortive  plans,  had  those  who  have  taxed  themselves,  and  been 
as  often  disappointed  in  quest  of  the  perpetual  motion,  and 
other  illusive  schemes  in  the  arts,  consented  in  the  first  in- 
stance, to  consult  the  well  known  laws  of  feature,  as  deter- 
mined by  long  experience,  and  treasured  in  the  sciences.  If 
any  man  professing  to  act  by  their  direction,  fail  in  the  attain- 
ment of  his  object,  it  may  be  for  want  of  recollection,  or  of 
manual  skill,  which  science  pretends  not  to  communicate,  or 
because  he  is  still  ignorant  of  that  which  he  professes  to  know  ; 
but  to  impute  the  disappointment  to  science  itself,  is  to  impute 
it  to  the  laws  of  nature,  which  it  is  the  very  object  of  science 
to  display. 

These  remarks  are  all  applicable  to  the  whole  and  to  every 
part  of  those  sciences  which  are  traversed  in  a  course  of  col- 
legiate education.  Not  a  conclusion  is  there,  at  which  they  ar- 
rive, nor  a  process  for  its  attainment,  but  has  been  thus  placed 
beyond  the  power  of  scepticism  by  the  test  of  experience, 
in  a  thousand  instances. 

The  basis  then  of  a  liberal  education  is  correctly  laid  in  a 
knowledge  of  language  as  the  essential  instrument  of  thought 
and  reasoning,  without  which  the  researches  and  communica- 
tions of  science  could  be  prosecuted  within  but  very  contracted 
limits.*  This  is  done  upon  the  best  models  which  tine  world 
has  furnished  for  such  a  purpose.  To  us  these  models  are  emi- 
nently valuable,  and  peculiarly  fitted,  because  our  own  language, 
not  only  in  its  scientific  parts,  but  in  all  its  comprehension,  is 
most  largely  indebted  for  its  copiousness  and  transparency,  to 
the  same  Greek  and  Roman  springs.  The  completion  of  an 
education  consists  of  Mathematics,  first  pure  in  their  various 
branches;  then  mixed,  in  Natural  Philosophy,  Chemistry,  and 
Astronomy,  succeeded  or  accompanied  by  Rhetoric,  a  rational 
Logic  founded  in  the  true  Philosophy  of  the  mind,  Political 
Economy,  and  Ethics.  With  these  are  intermingled,  through 
every  part  of  the  course  the  practice  of  composition,  elocution, 
and  the  habit  of  explanation  on  every  .subject  in  the  ordinary 
recitation  to  which  the  student  is  habitually  called. 

This,  it  may  be  said,  is  a  fair  fab  rick,  comely  to  the  eye,  and 
carrying  to  the  mind  a  conviction  of  its  solid  advantages, 
could  its  promises  be  realized.  But  is  it  not  true  that  a  small 
number  only  of  those  who  engage  in  it,  actually  show  in  result, 
the  rich  and  exuberant  fruits  which  it  foretokens.     To  this  it 

*  See  Stewart  on  the  Philosophy  of  the  mind. 


is  replied,  that  those  who  would  model  a  plan  for  the  liberal 
education  of  youth,  are  not  at  liberty,  even  were  they  inclined 
to  select  its  subjects  with  an  unlimited  discretion.  If  to  grati- 
fy popular  opinions  and  wishes,  in  the  peculiar  shape  they 
might  assume,  we  were  to  attempt  an  exclusion  of  the  mathe- 
matical sciences,  or  even  any  large  portion  of  them  from  a  col- 
legiate education,  to  some  it  might  appear  a  consummation  de- 
voutly to  be  wished.  But  while  we  were  rejecting  such  sub- 
jects as  Algebra,  Geometry,  and  therefore  of  necessity  the  men- 
Miration  of  heights  and  distances,  surveying,  navigation,  natu- 
ral philosophy  and  astronomy,  as  abstract  subjects,  and  little 
connected  with  practical  life,  can  we  easily  conceive  the  estima- 
tion that  would  be  fixed  upon  our  pretensions  to  the  name  and 
rank  we  assume  of  institutions  on  which  other  men  bestow  the 
name  of  Colleges  and  Universities  for  imbuing  the  early  mind 
with  knowledge  and  an  eflicient  discipline!  Should  we  not 
soon  find  it  necessary  cither  wholly  to  relinquish  our  claims  to 
a  liberal  education,  or  else  to  throw  away  the  plumes  and  titles 
with  which  we  had  thus  vainly  and  presumptuously  decorated 
ourselves.  To  the  same  degrading  issue  must  we  arrive,  were 
we,  in  compliance  with  others,  to  pronounce  the  ancient  lan- 
guages and  classics,  no  longer  indispensable  to  a  course  of  lite- 
rature and  science.  It  is  perhaps  little  known  to  some,  while 
to  others  it  may  appear  strange,  that  such  an  experiment  actu- 
ally made,  is  already  upon  the  records  of  our  University,  and 
that  it  was  continued  with  no  small  perseverence,  to  accommo- 
date that  portion  of  public  opinion  which  decried  the  utility  of 
these  languages.  And  what  was  the  result  of  this  ?  No  soon 
erdid  candidates  begin  to  offer  themselves  for  the  highest  hon- 
ours of  the  institution,  as  having  substituted  the  requisite  por- 
tion of  modern  language  for  the  ancient,  than  intelligent  and 
enlightened  members  of  the  Board,  making  no  pretensions  to 
collegiate  learning,  and  having  no  undue  prepossessions  in  be- 
half of  the  prescriptive  learning  of  the  schools,  after  witness- 
ing the  collateral  examinations  of  such  as  were  versed  in  the 
ancient  languages,  and  of  others  who  had  not  enjoyed  these  op- 
portunities, exclaimed  under  the  severe  disparagement  of  the 
comparison,  against  the  continuance  of  a  practice,  of  whose  ef- 
fects no  previous  exposition  could  have  convinced  them, 

What  has  been  now  said  of  the  indispensable  necessity  of  all 
those  parts  of  learning  which  constitute  a  system  of  collegiate 
study,  is  no  less  applicable,  to  the  quantity  of  every  part,  and 
therefore  of  the  whole.  We  know  that  it  is  a  complaint  some- 
times heard  ;  nay  by  some  much  stress  has  been  laid  upon  it. 
that  a  larger  compass  of  literary  and  scientific  attainment   is 


required  at  the  University  titan  is  reasonable  or  necessary; 
and  that  it  acts  oppressively  upon  those  who  would  have  their 
.sons  educated  here,  or  upon  the  student  himself,  or  it  may  he 
on  both.  But  that  the  expense  of  an  education  to  a  youth  while 
in  College  is  increased,  by  eulanging  the  quantity  of  study,  is 
evidently  impossible,  so  long  as  the  time  of  his  continuance 
which  is  four  years,  is  unchanged,  except  that  a  few  more  books 
may  become  necessary,  which  upon  a  more  limited  plan  might 
not  be  required.  Yet  even  this  consequence  needs  by  no  means 
to  follow,  since  if  systems  of  the  best  character  are  selected,  as 
they  ought  to  be,  the  number  of  volumes  must  be  the  same,  while 
the  whole  course  is  reduced  by  a  diminution  of  the  quantity 
only  studied  in  each.  Should  it  be  urged  that  the  whole  period 
of  an  education  is  extended  by  calling  for  larger  preparations 
in  the  academies,  we  ask  only  for  an  attentive  comparison  of 
the  qualifications  demanded  of  the  candidate  for  admission  into 
any  class  in  this  institution,  and  into  a  corresponding  class  ira 
any  respectable  college,  of  our  country.  If  by  any  means  it 
should  be  ascertained  that  at  some  one  or  two  institutions,  stu 
dents  are  admitted  to  membership  upon  terms  far  less  in  reali- 
ty than  such  as  make  an  ostentatious  appearance  in  their  pub 
Jfeations,  could  it  be  the  dispassionate  wish  of  any  one,  that 
education  in  our  University,  should  be  frittered  away  and  re- 
duced by  such  unfaithful  practice  and  hollow  pretensions,  to  the 
lowest  standard  elsewhere  discoverable  in  the  United  States, 
North-Carolina  makes  no  great  pretensions  to  figure  and  exhi- 
bition among  her  sisters  of  the  Union,  but  God  forbid  that  for 
the  sake  of  display,  she  should  forfeit  some  solid  realities  of 
character,  which  yet  remain  to  her,  and  to  which  she  may  safe- 
ly  institute  a  true  claim  in  comparison  with  many,  by  whom 
they  are  denied,  through  lack  of  information,  or  it  may  be  of 
an  ingenuous  sentiment  which  it  is  still  less  creditable  not  to 
j  possess.  But  must  it  not  above  all  be  conceded,  nay  should  it 
;  not  be  steadfastly  asserted  and  maintained,  that  wherever  edu- 
cation is  professedly  communicated,  it  should  be  done  not  in 
pretension  and  appearance  only,  but  as  far  as  possible  to  every 
youth  in  its  proper  solidity  and  worth.  When  we  purchase 
an  article  in  the  market,  it  is  our  first  wish  not  that  it  be  for  a 
moment  admirable,  by  mere  outside  tinsel  and  display,  but  that 
it  truly  possess  the  substantial  properties  long  to  endure  in 
I  producing  in  perfection  its  proper  effects.  Is  it  in  the  attain- 
i  ment  of  a  liberal  education  only  that  we  shall  renounce  this 
I  principle,  on  all  other  subjects  so  universally  appreciated  and 
received.  When  we  are  told  of  a  place  of  education,  where  a 
student  is  required  to  learn  more  than  either  himself  or  his  pa- 
i  rents  wish  him  to  be  taught,  and  where  his  moral  habits,  an£ 


10 

his  regularity  of  deportment  in  fulfilling  the  various  rules  of 
the  institution,  are  so  sustained  that  license  is  not  sufficiently 
allowed  to  its  members,  it  is  time  to  consider  whether  every 
inducement  of  pergonal  ease,  and  immediate  popularity  is  not 
soliciting  the  instructors  of  youth  to  practise  in  their  profession 
with  a  relaxation  proceeding  from  one  step  to  another,  till  it 
shall  become  indefinite,  and  subversive  both  of  knowledge  and 
virtue.  It  is  time  also  to  inquire,  whether  this  reproach  of 
which  I  speak,  of  asking  excessive  qualifications,  if  reproach 
it  may  be  called,  may  not  originate  in  causes,  which  when  de- 
veloped by  time  and  more  fully  understood,  shall  become  the 
glory  of  the  community  and  the  State,  in  whose  institutions 
they  have  prevailed.  Is  it  not  worthy  of  uh  all,  both  the  old 
and  the  young,  parents  and  their  sons,  legislators,  curators  and 
citizens,  to  aspire  to  the  reality  of  a  seminary,  not  where  it  may 
be  feared  the  doors  are  thrown  open  to  the  free  ingress  and 
continuance  of  loose  habits  and  dissipation  of  time,  but  where 
as  far  as  is  rationally  and  discreetly  practicable,  the  habits  of 
■virtue,  sobriety,  and  diligence  are  sedulously  cultivated  as  the 
immediate  means  of  improvement,  and  the  proper  pledge  of 
usefulness  and  distinction  in  future  life.  Were  this  to  be  made 
our  object,  and  could  a  success  in  some  degree  proportion  alio 
its  value  be  permanently  secured,  the  energy  and  substance  of 
character  connected  with  this  institution,  which  the  wisdom 
and  patriotism  of  our  State  are  solicitous  to  foster  and  elevate 
to  no  ordinary  perfection,  would  be  an  ample  compensation  for 
the  loss  of  such  from  the  catalogue  of  its  numbers,  as  for  great- 
er opportunities  of  an  indolent  and  dissolute  life,  might  rupture 
the  ties  properly  attracting  and  binding  them  to  their  own  state, 
to  seek  after  those  privileges  which  seem  so  enviable  in  other 
institutions. 

Of  one  thing  we  may  be  assured,  that  whatever  experiments 
may  be  attempted  in  other  parts  of  onr  country  or  of  the  world, 
of  conducting  the  education  of  youth  by  a  system  of  little  less 
than  universal  release  from  all  restrictions  to  industry  and 
virtue,  it  is  not  in  North-Carolina,  that  such  an  experiment 
can  be  sustained.  And  while  most  persons  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  sentiments  and  habits  of  our  population  will  concede 
this,  it  contains  an  evidence  unequivocal  of  correct  principles 
in  the  public  mind,  and  of  a  deep  and  honorable  solicitude  for 
the  best  interests  of  the  rising  generation,  and  for  the  future 
prospects  of  our  country. 

The  review  which  has  been  taken,  sets  before  us  the  me- 
thods and  opportunities  of  such  a  public  education,  as  is  now 
deemed  the  wisest  and  best  for  our  country  and  its  peculiar 
circumstances.    It  exhibits  a  system  upon  which  our  ihstitu- 


11 

tions  most  illustrious  for  wisdom  and  success  in  forming  the 
character  to  intelligence,  vigour,  and  essentia!  virtue,  both 
individual  and  public,  have  been  modelled.  To  imagine  im- 
provements upon  it  were  easy,  but  to  amend  it  in  practice, 
lias  exhausted  the  genius,  the  zeal,  and  the  resources  of  all 
siich  in  the  past  and  present  generations  of  our  enterprising 
country,  as  have  exerted  their  faculties  upon  the  subject.  Let 
me.  not  he,  understood  to  say;  that  either  the  methods  or  the 
quantity  of  attainable  advantages  of  education,  in  the  most  ex- 
perienced and  best  furnished  colleges  of  our  country,  are  at 
the  utmost  perfection  for  which  we  may  hope.  But  if  we 
would  seri<  ■•  sly  and  wisely  engage  in  their  practical  advance- 
ments, we  must,  as  wc  may  well  suppose,  bring  to  the  subject 
much  sober  reflection,  enlightened  by  practical  opportunity, 
to  combine  our  conceptions  and  wishes  with  that  which  will 
agree,  with  human  nature,  and  with  experience  already  ascer- 
tained. There  is  perhaps  no  science  or  ait,  which  at  the  pre- 
sent period  of  the  world,  contains  not  upon  its  records,  were 
they  faithfully  and  thoroughly  explored,  expedients  and  me- 
thods, promising  efficient  advantages,  which  upon  experiment 
already  made,  ha\e  not  proved  that  it  would  be  fruitless  to 
try  them  anew.  Without  the  requisite  means  of  illumination, 
they  would  prove  hut  enterprizes  in  the  moral  world,  of  as 
little  promise,  as  those  which  have  had  for  their  ohject  the 
perpetual  motion,  or  the  philosopher's  stone,  or  the  quadra- 
ture of  the  circle,  all  alike  at  variance  with  the  possibilities 
of  nature.  Every  system  of  education,  perfect  as  it  may  be 
in  itself,  and  in  the  fidelity  and  ability  of  its  execution,  must 
after  all,  depend  for  its  efficacy  upon  the  individual  himself 
who  would  reap  its  benefits.  On  his  part  there  must  he  a 
concurrence  of  disposition,  taste,  avidity,  and  effort,  as  essen- 
tial parts  of  the  whole  cause,  without  which  it  were  futile  to 
hope  for  the  effect. 

These  advantages  yen,  my  young  friends,  have  actually  en- 
joyed, so  far  as  has  depended  upon  the  faithful  assiduity  and 
talent,  selected  and  appointed  for  their  communication.  To 
say  this,  I  would  hope  may  appear  to  all  allowable,  especially 
when  it  is  to  you,  who  were  it  wanting  in  verity,  would  be  abfc 
to  attest  the  deficiency  of  claim  with  which  it  might  he  charge- 
able. To  one  abatement  however  it  is  subject,  that  he  who 
addresses  you  must  and  ought  to  be  excluded,  that  he  ma}" 
give  this  expression  of  his  opinions  and  feelings  respecting 
tiiose  with  whom  he  sincerely  esteems  it  his  privilege  and  hap- 
piness to  be  associated. 

Should  it  be  your  sentiment  that  no  earthly  treasures  are  to 
be  compared  with  those  of  scientific  and  virtuous  attainment, 


1£ 

prosecuted  by  the  general  course  of  studies  which  you  have 
now  completed,  with  such  improvements  as  the  present  state 
of  the  world  furnishes,  you  would  but  concur  with  all  that 
countless  throng  throughout  the  christian  world,  by  whom  for 
many  successive  generations,  the  sciences  and  arts  have  been 
advanced  to  a  perfection,  which  no  single  mind  could  practj 
caliy  estimate,  though  its  opportunities  were  prolonged  through 
many  of  the  periods  ordinarily  Jallotted  to  human  life.  But 
let  me  remind  you  once  more,  of  that  which  you  have  already  . 
often  heard,  that  every  collegiate  attainment  in  these  sciences  oi* 
which  you  have  been  employed,  can  be  correctly  considered, 
as  only  qualifying  you  forbad vanci tig  into  the  science  to  which 
it  belongs.  It  is  only  an  insatiable  thirst  after  knowledge, 
the  truths  it  reveals,  the  various  interests  and  powers  it  con- 
fers, and  the  refined  and  elevated  enjoyments  it  multiplies,  be. 
fore  which  its  difficulties  will  successively  disappear,  till  the 
volume  of  nature  and  providence  shall  universally  exhibit  a 
rich  profusion  botii  for  utility  and  delight. 

Before  closing  my  observations,  I  would  willingly  impress 
upon  your  minds,  as  infinitely  the  most  important  of  all  that 
I  can  say,  that  it  is  the  characteristic  of  the  Gospel,  ever  to 
consider  the  righteousness  which  it  teaches,  amongst  all  the 
interests  and  occupations  and  events  of  our  existence  that 
which  is  indispensable  and  never  to  be  relinquished.  The  ob- 
jects of  this  world  may  be.  surrendered,  its  plans  may  be  va- 
ried, and  in  our  choice  of  them  we  may  be  much  at  our  discre^ 
tion.  But  with  the  principles  and  practice  of  virtue  as  it  has 
been  taught  us  from  Heaven,  we  can  never  be  at  liberty  to 
dispense.  The  whole  life  of  Christ,  and  his  sufferings  at  its 
close,  have  this  inscribed  upon  every  act  and  every  circum 
stance.  Philosophy  and  the  maxims'of  the  world,  may  think 
it  trivial  to  swerve  in  some  degree  from  the  unchanging  laws 
of  a  perfect  virtue,  to  accommodate  emergencies,  escape  dan- 
gers, or  compass  some  great  interest,  which  but  for  them 
might  be  attained.  But  it  is  the  injunction  of  christian  rec- 
titude, if  thy  hand  offend  thee  cut  it  off,  if  thine  eye  offend  thee 
pluck  it  out ;  such  is  the  peculiarity  of  the  religion  of  the  gos- 
pel. It  has  been  exemplified  to  us  in  tiie  lives  of  christians, 
and  in  the  martyrdom  of  a  cloud  of  w  itnesscss.  Let  us  all 
aspire,  though  our  natures  are  weak  and  sinful,  conclusively 
to  adopt  this  great  maxim  into  the  whole  system  of  our  con- 
duct, and  grasp  it  with  a  tenaciousness  not  to  be  broken. — 
With  this  law  written  upon  our  hearts  by  the  spirit  of  the  Al- 
mighty, as  with  a  pen  of  iron  and  the  point  of  a  diamond,  \vt 
shall  be  useful,  and  honorable,  and  prosperous  in  this  life,  and 
death  shall  be  but  the  portal  of  our  transition  into  glory,  and 
honor,  and  a  happy  immortality. 


